Cardinals and red jays are both common backyard birds found throughout much of North America. They belong to different families – cardinals are in the Cardinalidae family while red jays belong to the Corvidae family along with jays, crows, and ravens. Though they may look somewhat similar at first glance with their vivid red plumage, there are several key differences between these two species when it comes to their appearance, behavior, habitat, diet, and more. Understanding the distinctions can help birders properly identify and appreciate these unique songbirds.
Appearance
The most noticeable difference between a red jay and a cardinal is the coloration and markings on their bodies.
Cardinals are a vivid red all over with a pointed crest on their head. The males have a bright red face mask extending from the beak back over the eyes and down the nape. Females are slightly duller in color but also entirely red. They lack the face mask of the males. Cardinals measure approximately 8-9 inches in length.
Red jays also have bold red plumage covering their head, wings, back and tail. However, their underside is pale pinkish-gray, providing more contrast than the solid red cardinal. Red jays also have blue highlights on the wings and tail along with white and blue striping on the face. The blue crown is another distinguishing mark. Red jays are slightly larger than cardinals, measuring 11-12 inches.
The bill shape also differs. Cardinals have thick, conical beaks while red jays have longer, more pointed beaks suited for an omnivorous diet.
Behavior
Cardinals and red jays have some behavioral similarities but also some key differences.
Both species are year-round residents across much of their range. They can withstand cold northern winters. Cardinals and red jays will frequently visit bird feeders, particularly for sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Red jays are social birds that travel in noisy flocks. They actively forage together and communicate with a wide variety of loud, scolding calls. Cardinals are more solitary and usually travel alone or in pairs, communicating with soft chirps and whistles.
Another major difference is the male cardinal’s singing. Males sing loud, melodious songs from high perches to mark territory and attract mates. Red jays do not have beautiful songs like the northern cardinal.
When it comes to nesting, cardinals usually build their nests in dense shrubs or small trees. Red jays prefer the canopy of mature forests. Both birds will aggressively defend their nests from predators and other intruders.
Habitat
Northern cardinals live in a variety of semi-open habitats with dense vegetation including woodland edges, hedgerows, marshes, parks and residential areas. They do well in areas with a mix of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
Red jays occupy mature forests across much of the western and southeastern United States. They prefer large tracts of coniferous or mixed forests with a closed canopy. Red jays are native to higher elevations in forested mountain ranges. In winter, they may descend to lower elevations.
The two species may overlap in habitats along forest edges or suburban parks with a mix of vegetation. But otherwise, cardinals frequent more open, low vegetation while red jays predominantly live deep in dense forests.
Diet
Cardinals and red jays are both omnivorous, feeding on a combination of plant and animal material. However, their dietary preferences differ.
Cardinals prefer seeds and fruit. They eat insects and spiders too but get most of their nutrition from vegetation. Favorite foods include:
- Seeds from trees and shrubs like maple, elm, and oak
- Berries from dogwood, sumac, grape, blackberry, and mulberry plants
- Corn, wheat, and other grains
- Fruit including wild cherries, citrus, apples, and figs
- Some insects and spiders
Red jays are more omnivorous and opportunistic. Their diet includes:
- Acorns, seeds, fruits, and nuts
- Grains and corn when available
- Insects like beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, and grasshoppers
- Spiders
- Small lizards
- Eggs and nestlings of other birds
- Carrion and human food waste when accessible
Red jays occasionally raid nests for eggs and young, unlike cardinal pairs which only feed their own offspring. Overall, red jays consume a higher proportion of animal prey than cardinals.
Range and Distribution
The northern cardinal is widespread across eastern North America. Its range extends:
- North to southeastern Canada
- South throughout Mexico and Central America
- West to the Great Plains and parts of Texas
Cardinals have expanded their range north in modern times as trees and shrubs increasingly populate the landscape. They avoid dense forest and are absent from the higher elevations of the Appalachian Mountains.
The red jay occupies the following range:
- Western North America from southern British Columbia through the western U.S. down to Mexico
- Disjunct populations in southern Florida, the Appalachians, and isolated mountaintops in Mexico and Central America
Unlike cardinals, red jays primarily live in coniferous highland forests. Their historical range contracted due to logging but has rebounded as forests regrow. Hybridization with the Florida scrub jay occurs where their ranges now overlap in Florida.
So in general, cardinals frequent more open, low-lying regions while red jays predominantly inhabit dense highland forests. But there is habitat overlap along the edges of their ranges.
Taxonomy and Conservation Status
Taxonomically, cardinals and red jays belong to different families:
- The northern cardinal is in the family Cardinalidae along with grosbeaks and buntings.
- The red jay belongs to the Corvidae family of jays, crows, ravens, magpies, and nutcrackers.
Despite their bright coloration, neither species is closely related to canaries or tanagers. They last shared a common ancestor over 30 million years ago.
Both birds have a relatively stable conservation status and are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List:
- The cardinal has adapted well to human altered habitats. The population is estimated at over 100 million.
- The red jay population declined with deforestation but rebounded to an estimated 10 million birds as conifer forests regenerated.
While not considered threatened, fragmentation of forests needed by red jays is a long-term concern for the species.
Key Identification Points
Use these key facts to tell a red jay apart from a cardinal:
| Trait | Northern Cardinal | Red Jay |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8-9 inches | 11-12 inches |
| Main Color | Solid red; males have red face mask | Red with blue and white highlights |
| Beak | Thick conical beak | Long pointed beak |
| Habitat | Thickets, woodland edges, parks | Coniferous forests |
| Diet | Mainly seeds and fruit | More insects, eggs, carrion |
| Behavior | Solitary, musical songs | Social, noisy flocks |
Conclusion
Cardinals and red jays provide a pop of brightness to backyards and forests across North America. While they may seem similar at first glance, important differences in their appearance, habitat, behavior, and other traits distinguish these two songbirds. Cardinals frequent more open, lowland areas and primarily eat seeds, fruits, and plants. Red jays inhabit dense conifer forests, travel in social flocks, and are more omnivorous. Paying attention to key identification points allows observers to confidently tell a red jay apart from the familiar northern cardinal. Appreciating their unique qualities will let you enjoy spotting either of these vivid birds across their ranges.
